Feb. 6, 2026: In Falmouth during the winter the Ruddy Duck is a compact, stiff-tailed duck that spends its days floating around on sheltered ponds, repeatedly diving for aquatic invertebrates. This Ruddy Ducks was recently seen in the northwest corner of Ashumet Pond.

The Ruddy Duck is a small, stocky diving duck best known for its compact shape, stiff tail often cocked upward, and buoyant, rubber-duck appearance on the water. In winter on Cape Cod, males wear subdued gray-brown plumage with a pale cheek patch, while females are similarly brown with darker facial markings, both well camouflaged against cold coastal waters.

During the winter months, Ruddy Ducks spend most of their day afloat on sheltered ponds, coastal embayments, and saltwater lagoons. They are primarily divers, repeatedly plunging beneath the surface to feed on aquatic invertebrates, small crustaceans, and seeds found in submerged vegetation and soft bottom sediments. Between feeding bouts, they rest quietly on the water, often tucked low and riding the waves with minimal movement.

Unlike dabbling ducks that forage near shore, Ruddy Ducks remain more offshore much of the day, conserving energy in cold conditions and surfacing only briefly between dives, an efficient, no-nonsense routine well suited to Cape Cod’s winter seas.